BEREAN PICTORIAL CHARTS

The theme of 2 Corinthians 3 and 4 is the exceeding glory of the new covenant. In comparison with this covenant, the glory of the old is nullified. The Chart suggests - by the two shaded forms - the tables of stone associated with the old covenant, and the fleshy tables of the heart that belong to the new covenant. Both covenants had their respective "glory," but "even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious" (2 Cor. 3:10, 11).

After considering the balancing members, it becomes very clear that "from glory to glory" (2 Cor. 3:18) can mean nothing else than “from the typical glory of the old covenant, to the antitypical glory of the new covenant." This we have suggested by the arrow at the base of the two covenant forms.

Much of the teaching of this passage is connected with the use of the word, "veil." Moses veiled his face so that Israel should not see the end of the glory that was transient. Israel wear a veil, not only over their heads when reading the law (as shown in the illustration) but, over their hearts. The teaching of the passage is "veiled" to the ordinary reader by the translation "open face" in 2 Cor. 3:18, where it should read "unveiled face," as a direct contrast with the veiled face of Israel. Further, the word "hid" in 2 Cor. 4:3 is the word "veiled," and carries the teaching on to its conclusion.

The new translation of 2 Cor. 4:3-6 given at the bottom of the Chart reveals the awful truth that Satan fabricates a veil for the' spiritual eye out of undispensational truth. Four times in 2 Cor. 3 it is stressed that the old covenant was "done away" (or "abolished"), and out of this, as the epistle to the Galatians reveals, the Evil One made a veil to hide the fullness of grace that is found in the person and work of Christ. Two faces are seen in contrast, the face of Moses, and the face of Jesus Christ.

We append the structure of 2 Cor. 2:17 – 4:6 as a supplement to the Chart.

A 2:17 a Not corrupt the Word of God.

     b Speak in the sight of God.

B 3:1-16 The Face of Moses. – The passing glory.

C 3:17, 18. The unveiled face of the believer. - From glory to glory.

A 4:1,2 a Not handle deceitfully the Word of God.

      b Commend in the sight of God.

C 4:3,4 The veiled face of the unbeliever. - Glory hidden.

B 4:5, 6 The face of Jesus Christ. - The glory of God.

CHARLES H. WELCH.

Berean Pictorial Charts